Spring

Time harvests by considering:

• Alfalfa growth, vigor and quality
• Pest problems including:
  • Aphids
  • Leaf and stem diseases
  • Weevils
• Irrigation and wheel traffic

Consider border-strip harvesting to conserve natural enemies.

Determine appropriate weed management strategies based on last summer's weed species and numbers. Note any special weed problems such as:

• Dodder
• Grasses
• Nutsedge

Manage if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Look for signs of vertebrate pests, such as gophers, meadow voles, or ground squirrels. Manage, if needed, according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Look for signs of stem nematode in early spring.

• Prevent the spread of nematodes by cutting fields first or cleaning harvesting equipment between infected and clean fields.

Monitor for weevils. Consider early harvest if Egyptian alfalfa weevil is a problem in your field.

• Keep records on a weevil monitoring form (PDF).
• Manage if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Monitor aphids and their natural enemies.

• Consider border or strip harvest to preserve natural enemies.
• Keep records on an aphid monitoring form (PDF).
• Manage if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

Look for cutworms if damage is apparent.

• Manage if needed according to the Pest Management Guidelines.

If you see thrips or evidence of thrips feeding, no pesticide application is needed.

Watch for signs of diseases and nematodes.

Consider field sanitation:

• Harvest disease- and stem nematode-free fields before infested fields.
• Avoid moving contaminated farm machinery or livestock from a field infested with nematodes or disease to a clean field.
• Be careful when using return water because pathogens and nematodes can be carried in recirculated irrigation water.